The relentless expansion of coastal megacities is reshaping the planet’s shorelines, often with dire consequences for marine life. These urban behemoths, thriving on global commerce, depend heavily on maritime transportation. 



Yet, the incessant movement of vessels through these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-coastal-cities-around-the-world-could-disappear-under-rising-seas-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waters</a> threatens marine ecosystems that once thrived undisturbed.



In a recent study, researchers turned their focus to China’s Greater Bay Area, encompassing Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. This region, home to around 86 million people, is the largest coastal megacity by population and the second-largest by economic output. 



However, the same waters that drive its prosperity are now at risk, as vessel traffic surges, impacting sensitive marine habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vessel-traffic-and-marine-ecosystems">Vessel traffic and marine ecosystems</h2>



On any given day, the Greater Bay Area hosts nearly 6,000 vessels, criss-crossing its waters. The Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Joint Centre (<a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/global/cuhkpartnership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ENSURE</a>) conducted an in-depth study to assess the extent of maritime traffic in this bustling region.



“We found that marine species are likely exposed to relentless presence of vessels,” noted Dr. Phil Doherty from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>. 



The implications are severe. In shallow waters, propellers churn sediment, increasing turbidity and eroding shorelines. Noise pollution disrupts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-seas-are-already-toppling-coastal-cities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine communication</a>, while collisions pose direct threats to wildlife. 



These waters, once a sanctuary for endangered species, have become corridors of constant disturbance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-zones-under-siege">Conservation zones under siege</h2>



Conservation zones, designed to safeguard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-cities-will-spend-over-3-trillion-dollars-damages-from-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>, are now under siege. The study revealed that certain hotspots in the Greater Bay Area experienced disturbances on 95% of days during the study period. Despite their protected status, these areas remain vulnerable to vessel traffic, which shows no signs of slowing.



“With Hong Kong and Shenzhen hosting the busiest port in the world, the relentless pace of economic growth and development is taking a toll on the marine ecosystem,” said Dr. Felix Leung from the <a href="https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese University of Hong Kong</a>.



This statement encapsulates the conflict - economic progress continues to rise, but at the expense of ecological stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shallow-waters-face-severe-impact">Shallow waters face severe impact</h2>



Eighty percent of vessel traffic in the Greater Bay Area occurs in waters less than 20 meters deep. 



The density of vessels in these shallow zones amplifies their impact, exacerbating erosion and disrupting vulnerable habitats like seagrass beds, coral reefs, and coastal wetlands.



Fishing vessels concentrate their activity around the southwestern tip of Lantau Island, forming dense clusters that overlap with key conservation areas. Meanwhile, non-fishing vessels dominate the shipping lanes, linking Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Macau. 



According to the study, non-fishing vessels outnumber fishing vessels by a ratio of nearly ten to one, intensifying the strain on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine</a> ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-endangered-marine-species-face-new-threats">Endangered marine species face new threats</h2>



The Greater Bay Area’s waters serve as a vital refuge for several endangered species, including the Chinese white dolphin and the finless porpoise. These species, already threatened by habitat loss, now face additional risks from vessel traffic. 



“Put simply, boats and ships are everywhere, all the time,” noted Dr. Phil Doherty.



Other vulnerable species, such as green turtles, Chinese horseshoe crabs, and mangrove horseshoe crabs, are also feeling the effects. Decades of land reclamation have altered these habitats, reducing safe havens for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-warnings-what-coastal-cities-must-prepare-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine</a> life. 



As vessel activity continues unabated, these species struggle to survive in increasingly fragmented environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-vessel-traffic-in-bay-area">Mapping vessel traffic in Bay Area</h2>



To grasp the extent of vessel traffic, researchers employed Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology. 



This satellite-based tracking system allowed the team to map vessel movements over six years, from 2013 to 2018. The data revealed patterns that were both troubling and persistent.



The study mapped over 5,981 vessels operating daily in the Greater Bay Area. Fishing vessels concentrated near Lantau Island, while non-fishing vessels followed structured shipping lanes. 



The findings also highlighted the overlapping footprints of these vessel classes, with many areas experiencing consistent traffic from both fishing and non-fishing vessels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seasonal-vessel-peaks-intensify-impact">Seasonal vessel peaks intensify impact</h2>



Seasonal changes in vessel traffic provided additional insights. Fishing vessels displayed biannual peaks, aligning with the Chinese New Year and the summer fishing moratorium. During these periods, fishing activity surged, disrupting habitats in concentrated bursts.



Non-fishing vessels, on the other hand, maintained more consistent patterns. Commercial lanes remained active year-round, with a slight uptick during major economic periods. 



This constant flow of vessels exacerbates the cumulative impact on marine ecosystems, which receive little reprieve from human activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-to-reduce-vessel-traffic-impact">Strategies to reduce vessel traffic impact</h2>



Addressing the ecological fallout of vessel traffic requires a strategic, multi-pronged approach. “The Greater Bay Area is an interesting test case for coastal cities as they grow,” emphasized Dr. Stephen Lang from the University of Exeter.



Proposed mitigation strategies include rerouting shipping lanes to avoid key habitats, reducing vessel speeds to minimize collisions, and adopting quieter, less polluting ships. 



The establishment of marine protected areas that effectively regulate vessel activity could also provide much-needed refuges for endangered species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-accessibility-and-broader-implications">Data accessibility and broader implications</h2>



The study’s findings serve as a critical resource for policymakers and conservationists. By making their processed datasets freely accessible, the researchers aim to facilitate further studies on the environmental impact of maritime traffic in other coastal megacities.



“To safeguard these ecologically sensitive areas, governments must adhere to the Global Biodiversity Framework, ensuring both protection and sustainable management for future generations,” noted Dr. Leung.



This call to action highlights the urgent need for policies that balance economic growth with environmental conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safeguarding-coastal-ecosystems">Safeguarding coastal ecosystems</h2>



The relentless growth of coastal megacities underscores a pressing global dilemma: How can we protect marine ecosystems in regions that are vital economic hubs? 



The Greater Bay Area exemplifies this conflict. Once a sanctuary for marine species, it is now a region marked by ceaseless vessel traffic, with its waters teeming with ships and boats.



Despite the gravity of these findings, hope remains. The researchers’ recommendations offer a pathway forward - one that emphasizes sustainable maritime practices, effective conservation measures, and data-driven policymaking. 



By heeding these recommendations, policymakers can chart a course that protects vulnerable species while accommodating economic growth.



The future of coastal megacities like the Greater Bay Area depends on making informed, strategic decisions that prioritize both economic development and environmental health. 



The findings of this study provide a crucial foundation for such efforts, highlighting the urgent need for action before the tides of commerce irrevocably alter the fragile balance of marine ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X2500154X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Policy</a>.



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Marine life is exposed to 'relentless' ship traffic in coastal megacities

The relentless expansion of coastal megacities is reshaping the planet’s shorelines, often with dire consequences for marine life. These urban behemoths, thriving on global commerce, depend heavily on maritime transportation. Yet, the incessant movement of vessels through these waters threatens marine ecosystems that once thrived undisturbed. In a recent study, researchers turned their focus to China’s Greater Bay Area, encompassing Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. This region, home to around 86 million people, is the largest coastal megacity by population and the second-largest by economic output. However,...

Scientists have found a way to delay ocean acidification in the waters surrounding the Great Barrier Reef. According to a study from <a href="https://ioppublishing.org/">IOP Publishing</a>, injecting an alkalinizing agent into the ocean along the length of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/immediate-and-drastic-action-needed-to-save-coral-reefs/">reef</a> could offset a decade's worth of ocean acidification. 

Researchers with <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/about/people/business-units/oceans-and-atmosphere">CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere</a> used a high-resolution model to investigate how artificial ocean alkalinization may influence acidity.

The Great Barrier Reef is currently facing unprecedented stress from a combination of sources, including ocean warming, tropical cyclones, sediment and nutrient runoff, and ocean acidification. 

When it comes to the long-term viability of the reef, ocean acidification is one of the most significant threats, limiting the ability of the corals to recover from bleaching events.

Scientists are exploring a range of potential solutions to minimize environmental stress and to maximize the resilience of coral reef ecosystems. 

Artificial ocean alkalinization is a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) method which aims to offset the changes associated with ocean acidification. Adding a source of alkalinity - such as olivine - to seawater will essentially "reverse" the shift in chemistry that occurs as the ocean absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. 

The experts noted that olivine is an abundant mineral resource that is already mined near the Great Barrier Reef.

"The majority of the artificial ocean alkalinization modeling studies to date have focused on the potential for alkalinization as a carbon dioxide removal technique. Few studies have explored the role of alkalinization with a focus on offsetting the changes associated with ocean acidification at a regional scale," explained the study authors. 

The results of the model simulations showed that by releasing the alkalinizing agent from an existing shipping lane, the resulting de-acidification would reach almost the whole of the Great Barrier Reef.

The experts found that by using existing shipping infrastructure to deliver the source of alkalinity into the water, artificial ocean alkalinization could offset or ameliorate the projected acidification on 250 reefs by ten years. In the process, 35,000 tons of carbon would be sequestered each year. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1748-9326">Environmental Research Letters</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Ocean acidification on the Great Barrier Reef could be delayed by 10 years

Scientists have found a way to delay ocean acidification in...

Some corals can handle the impacts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intense-nature-restoration-needed-to-address-the-climate-crisis/">climate</a> change better than others, and a new study suggests the secret weapon may be a natural sunscreen. Hawaiian blue rice corals contain a deep blue pigment that blocks the effects of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. 

While UV damage can impact reproduction in many coral species such as brown rice coral, the new research suggests that blue rice coral is not affected by heat stress in the same way. 

"Having witnessed firsthand the devastating effects bleaching had on brown rice coral in 2014 and 2015, it is encouraging to see blue rice coral either recovered quickly after bleaching or was not affected by elevated ocean temperatures at all," said study lead author Mike Henley if the <a href="https://www.si.edu/museums/national-zoo">Smithsonian National Zoological Park</a>. 

"By studying blue rice corals' reproductive successes, we can better understand how other corals weather climate change and ocean warming."

Coral polyps are actually transparent, and they get their color from the symbiotic algae that live inside of their tissue. This algae serves as the main source of food for reef-building corals such as brown rice coral and blue rice coral. 

The tiny organisms, or zooxanthellae, provide the coral with food, and the corals return the favor by providing protection. The corals themselves cannot photosynthesize, but the zooxanthellae feed corals the waste products of their photosynthesis. In addition, the algae produce sunscreen for the coral.

When warmer ocean temperatures cause the corals to become stressed, the symbiotic relationship starts to break down. The algae experience higher metabolism and produce a toxic compound, causing the corals to expel them, along with their protective sunscreen. 

The "bleaching" that takes place when corals lose their algae can affect reproductive success. This is because their DNA is at a greater risk of being damaged by UV radiation. Specifically, mitochondrial changes can affect the long-term motility of sperm cells, or their ability to swim.

Following bleaching events in Hawaii in 2014 and 2015, the team observed that blue rice coral had exceptional reproductive potential with 90 percent motility. Meanwhile, the brown rice coral had only half this amount of motility.

According to the study authors, this finding suggests that even if brown corals survive bleaching and look visually healthy, the damage caused by bleaching and UV exposure could have long-lasting impacts on their ability to successfully reproduce. 

The researchers believe the blue rice coral's ability to reproduce successfully may be its sunscreen pigment, which the coral may retain even if it bleaches. 

By understanding how UV-blocking pigments help to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, the scientists can explain why some coral species are better equipped to survive in a warming environment.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Natural sunscreen helps blue rice corals adapt to warming climate

Some corals can handle the impacts of climate change better...

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/">University of Southampton</a>, experts have linked the clearing of a tropical forest in Central America to darker waters off the coast of Belize. The potential impacts of the darkened water on marine life are not yet known. 

Deforestation and other land use changes alter the color, amount, and composition of organic materials that runoff and flow through rivers. Much of this material is not decomposing before it reaches the ocean, with widespread implications for ecosystems.

The researchers set out to investigate the effects of deforestation on the coastal environment by studying material that flowed into rivers from a Central American rainforest. The team tracked the material to the water off the coast of Belize, home to the world's second largest reef.

"Like many countries in the region, Belize is experiencing a rapid rate of deforestation due to increasing need for agricultural and urban land, whilst the economy also relies on the fishing and tourism industries on the coastline," said study lead author Stacey Felgate.

"Despite this, there has been very little research into the impact that changing land-use at such a fast pace is having on the region's coastal ecosystems."

The experts found that more colored material is running off into rivers from land used for farming compared to land that is forested. 

The researchers discovered that, instead of getting broken down. the dark material accumulated as it moved farther along in the river. 

The dark-colored material absorbs light and darkens the seawater along the coast. This means that less sunlight is reaching marine life such as seagrass and corals that need it to grow. 

"The potential for human activities on land to negatively impact the coastal environment is not unique to Belize, and so our findings are relevant more broadly, particularly for coastal developing nations where deforestation is ongoing but there are no integrated conservation plans between what is happening on land and what is happening in the oceans," said Felgate.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21698961">JGR Biogeosciences</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Deforestation has darkened coastal waters off Belize

In a new study from the University of Southampton, experts...

Researchers at Columbia University's <a href="https://www.earth.columbia.edu/">Earth Institute</a> have found that greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production are greater than what has been previously estimated. The experts are also reporting on major opportunities to reduce these emissions. 

The study authors estimate that emissions related to food production reached the equivalent of 16 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2018, wick is an eight percent increase since 1990. 

According to study lead author Francesco Tubiello, the study shows that food production represents a "larger greenhouse-gas mitigation opportunity than previously estimated, and one that cannot be ignored in efforts to achieve the Paris Agreement goals." 

Tubiello said emissions inventories that countries currently report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change poorly characterize food systems, and underestimate their contribution to climate change.

In a companion paper, the researchers emphasize the need for better scientific understanding of the processes through which greenhouse gases are emitted from all phases of food production and consumption. The report says that the food system has a major role to play in mitigating climate change. 

"Science and policy domains have often been siloed in academia. We propose a 'double helix' of interactive research by scientists and policy experts that can deliver significant benefits for both climate change and the food system," said Cynthia Rosenzweig, lead author of the companion piece. 

"The food system and the climate system are deeply intertwined," said coauthor David Sandalow, a fellow at Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy. "Better data can help lead to better policies for cutting emissions and protecting the food system from a changing climate."

The experts explained that programs and policies to mitigate climate change must consider the impact on the more than 500 million smallholder households around the world. They noted that this issue is particularly acute in the least-developed countries, where relatively larger shares of the population rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, they say.

"To achieve a net-zero future, we need to better understand the interplay between the food system and emissions in developing countries where populations are growing, poverty is diminishing, and incomes are rising," said study co-author Philippe Benoit.

The most effective mitigation strategies should focus on activities both before and after farm production.

"Agriculture in developed countries emits large quantities of greenhouse gases, but their share can be obscured by large emissions from other sectors like electricity, transportation and buildings," said study co-author Professor Matthew Hayek. 

"Looking at the entire food system can not only illuminate opportunities to reduce emissions from agriculture, but also improve efficiency across the whole supply chain with technologies such as refrigeration and storage."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1748-9326">Environmental Research Letters</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Emissions from food production have been underestimated

Researchers at Columbia University's Earth Institute have found that greenhouse...

African great apes will suffer massive range losses over the next 30 years, according to a new report from the <a href="https://www.wcs.org/">Wildlife Conservation Society</a>. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chest-beating-conveys-important-details-about-mountain-gorillas/">Gorillas</a>, chimpanzees and bonobos are being pushed out of their historical range as a result of human population growth, land use changes, and the impacts of climate change.

"There must be global responsibility for stopping the decline of great apes," said study senior author Hjalmar Kuehl. "Global consumption of natural resources extracted from ape range countries is a major driver of great ape decline. All nations benefiting from these resources have a responsibility to ensure a better future for great apes, their habitats and the people living therein by developing more sustainable economies."

The experts analyzed data on African great apes from the IUCN, using a database that contains two decades of information on population status and conservation for several hundred sites.

The researchers projected the combined effects of climate change, land use changes, and human population growth through 2050 based on a best- and worst-case scenario.

Even under the "best-case scenario," the authors predict that great apes will lose 85 percent of their range, half of which will fall outside of national parks and other protected areas. Under the worst-case scenario, the apes will lose 94 percent of their range.

"By integrating future climate and land-use changes as well as human population scenarios, this study provides strong evidence for synergistic interactions among key global drivers constraining African ape distribution," said lead author Joana Carvalho.

"Importantly, massive range loss is widely expected outside protected areas, which reflects the insufficiency of the current network of protected areas in Africa to preserve suitable habitats for great apes and effectively connect great ape populations."

Climate change will make the mountain areas more suitable than the lowlands for African great apes. If they are able to physically move from the lowlands to the mountains, they may be able to survive, and even increase their range - depending on the species. However, the researchers noted that the apes may not be able to relocate in the time remaining between today and 2050.

"As climate change forces the different types of vegetation to essentially shift uphill, it means that all animals - not only great apes - that depend on particular habitat types will be forced to move uphill along with the vegetation, or become locally extinct," said study co-author Fiona Maisels.

"And when the hills are low, many species, great and small, will not be able go higher than the land allows, and huge numbers of animals and plants will simply vanish."

The study authors argue that effective conservation strategies require careful planning for each species that focuses on both existing and proposed protected areas - the creation and management of which can be informed by these habitat suitability models. In addition, efforts to maintain connectivity between suitable habitats will be crucial for the survival of African great apes. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14724642">Diversity and Distributions</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

African great apes will lose most of their range in the next 30 years

African great apes will suffer massive range losses over the...

In a new report from the <a href="https://nutrition.org/">American Society for Nutrition</a>, experts report that reducing food waste will not be enough to fulfill the world's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nutritional-value-of-crops-varies-by-location/">nutritional</a> needs. 

To solve the problem of feeding the growing human population, attention must be urgently focused on essential vitamins and minerals, according to the researchers.

By 2050, the global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion. According to the study, the world already produces enough protein and energy to feed this many people if food waste were cut in half. 

At the same time, however, global food production will fall short in terms of the micronutrients that we need to stay healthy, including calcium, iron, vitamin E and others.

"Reducing food waste would give us enough protein and food energy to feed the 2050 population today - but not enough of the essential vitamins and minerals we need," said study lead author Dr. Nick Smith. "This suggests that food waste is an important issue to tackle, but won't necessarily resolve all the world's nutritional needs."

The DELTA Model used for the study is a computational model that calculates the amount of food nutrients available to the global population under different assumptions about population size, agricultural productivity, and food waste. One unique feature of the model is that it not only accounts for foods' nutritional content, but also for our body's ability to utilize those nutrients.

"When thinking about food system sustainability, it's important to consider all aspects of sustainability: environmental, economic, social, health and nutritional," said Dr. Smith. "And nutrition doesn't just mean enough energy - it has to be the right foods, the right balance of nutrition."

The experts explained that one reason why cutting waste will only get us so far is that we tend to waste more of certain types of foods than others. 

For example, around 25 percent of vegetable mass is wasted after it leaves the farm gate. When it comes to milk, this number is around seven percent. This produces a greater amount of fiber waste compared to calcium, which means that cutting waste will not have the same impact across all nutrients.

"The DELTA Model was not designed to find the 'right answer' for what the food system should look like," Smith noted. "Rather, it is a tool for understanding the food system, testing ideas and hypotheses and informing debate. Its results are important for the global conversation of what food the world needs to produce."

Dr. Smith will present the research at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAF4tOWLoec">NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE</a>. The findings are preliminary and will be peer-reviewed in the future.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cutting food waste could feed the world, but not nutritiously

In a new report from the American Society for Nutrition,...

Without urgent action, extreme rainfall and severe flooding will continue to intensify as temperatures rise. An international research team led by <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/">Newcastle University</a> reports that efforts to mitigate global warming will help to limit the increase in extreme rainfall, but some societal adaptations will still be required.

"Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall because a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor that can rain out, sometimes over a short period. The movement of water vapor through the atmosphere, in storms, is also modified," explained the study authors.

"Increases in extreme rainfall have been observed in many parts of the world. Extreme rainfall, in turn, can increase the chance of floods occurring and their magnitude in small and in urban catchments, severely impacting local populations and infrastructure."

On the other hand, floods in larger, rural catchments are influenced by many different factors. These floods are less directly linked with extreme rainfall events.

The analysis of 170 scientific studies suggests that increases in daily extreme rainfall rates have been observed on continental scales throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries, and that global warming is driving increases in short-duration rainfall extremes in some regions. 

The findings show that the risk of flash flooding in urban areas has been growing in recent decades. This increase is linked to expanding impermeable landscape that causes surface runoff.

"Global warming means the atmosphere can hold more moisture and could also change the way storms behave. More intense rainfall extremes coupled with changes in other factors could increase the frequency and severity of flooding in many regions," said study lead author Dr. Stephen Blenkinsop.

"Even if action is taken to limit the extent of global warming we will need to improve our understanding of how extreme rainfall and flooding will change in the future in order to adapt our cities and other communities to more frequent or more extreme events."

"This is an active area of research and our review highlights that the science is becoming increasingly clear on how climate change influences extreme rainfall and how that combines with other factors to increase the chance of floods in many places," said Adam Smith of the University of East Anglia.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/nu-cci060421.php">ScienceBrief Review</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Extreme rainfall and severe flooding will continue to intensify

Without urgent action, extreme rainfall and severe flooding will continue...

Great,White,Shark,Under,The,Sea

In a new study led by Earth scientists at  <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale University</a> and the College of the Atlantic, researchers have discovered a massive shark extinction that occurred roughly 19 million years ago. 

The experts report that at this time in Earth's history, there were more than 10 times more sharks patrolling the world's oceans than there are today. The cause of the massive die-off remains a mystery.

"We happened upon this extinction almost by accident," said study lead author Elizabeth Sibert, a Hutchinson postdoctoral associate in Yale's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies. 

"I study microfossil fish teeth and shark scales in deep-sea sediments, and we decided to generate an 85-million-year-long record of fish and shark abundance, just to get a sense of what the normal variability of that population looked like in the long term." "What we found, though, was this sudden drop-off in shark abundance around 19 million years ago, and we knew we had to investigate further."

According to Sibert, more than 70 percent of the world's sharks died off. The death rate was even higher for sharks in the open ocean compared to those in coastal waters. The death toll was twice that of an extinction event that sharks experienced during the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event 66 million years ago, when three-quarters of all living species were wiped out. 

The circumstances are mysterious, considering that there is no known climate or ecosystem disruption that occurred at the time of the shark die-off.

"This interval isn't known for any major changes in Earth's history, yet it completely transformed the nature of what it means to be a predator living in the open ocean," said Sibert.

"The current state of declining shark populations is certainly cause for concern and this paper helps put these declines in the context of shark populations through the last 40 million years," said study co-author Leah Rubin. 

"This context is a vital first step in understanding what repercussions may follow dramatic declines in these top marine predators in modern times."

The researchers noted that past discoveries of extinction events have led to waves of new research to learn the origins of the die-off and whether it signaled a larger, previously unknown, disturbance in global ecosystems.

For example, further research may confirm whether the shark extinction event caused remaining shark populations to change their habitat preferences to avoid the open ocean, explained the researchers.

Professor Pincelli Hull is an assistant professor of Earth and Planetary Science at Yale, who was not part of the study.

"This work could tip-off a race to understand this time period and its implications for not only the rise of modern ecosystems, but the causes of major collapses in shark diversity," said Professor Hull. "It represents a major change in ocean ecosystems at a time that was previously thought to be unremarkable."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Shark extinction 19 million years ago remains a mystery

In a new study led by Earth scientists at  Yale...

A new study from <a href="https://www.brown.edu/">Brown University</a> confirms climate model projections that South Asian monsoons will get stronger as temperatures and CO2 levels continue to rise. 

Looking at monsoons over the last million years, the researchers found that periodic changes in the intensity of monsoon rainfall were associated with fluctuations in continental ice volume, atmospheric CO2 levels, and moisture import from the Indian Ocean.

"We show that over the last 900,000 years, higher CO2 levels along with associated changes in ice volume and moisture transport were associated with more intense monsoon rainfall," said study lead author Professor Steven Clemens. 

"That tells us that CO2 levels and associated warming were major players in monsoon intensity in the past, which supports what the models predict about future monsoons - that rainfall will intensify with rising CO2 and warming global temperature."

According to Professor Clemens, the South Asian monsoon is arguably the single most powerful expression of Earth's hydroclimate, with some locations getting several meters of rain each summer. 

While monsoons are vital to the region's agriculture and economy, they can also cause major flooding and destroy crops during the intense seasons, potentially affecting the lives of nearly 1.4 billion people.

For several years, Professor Clemens has been working with an international team of researchers to better understand the major drivers of monsoon activity. In 2014, the team led an expedition to the Bay of Bengal to recover sediment core samples from beneath the ocean floor. These samples preserve a record of monsoon activity spanning millions of years.

"The idea is that we can reconstruct rainfall over time using these proxies, and then look at other paleoclimate data to see what might be the important drivers of monsoon activity," said Professor Clemens. 

"That helps us to answer important questions about the factors driving the monsoons. Are they primarily driven by external factors like changes in Earth's orbit, which alter the amount of solar radiation from the sun, or are factors internal to the climate system like CO2, ice volume and moisture-transporting winds more important?"

The results of the sediment analysis showed that periods of more intense monsoon rainfall tended to follow peaks in atmospheric CO2 and low points in global ice volume. Cyclical changes in Earth's orbit - which alter the amount of sunlight each hemisphere receives - played a role as well. 

Overall, the findings suggest that monsoons are sensitive to CO2-related warming, which validates climate model predictions of a link between elevated CO2 levels and stronger monsoons.

"The models are telling us that in a warming world, there's going to be more water vapor in the atmosphere," said Professor Clemens. "In general, regions that get a lot of rain now are going to get more rain in the future. In terms of the South Asians monsoons, that's entirely consistent with what we see in this study."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Scientific Advances</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

South Asian monsoons will intensify in a warmer climate

A new study from Brown University confirms climate model projections...

In a new study from the <a href="https://uni-freiburg.de/">University of Freiburg</a>, researchers have been investigating how plants cope with extreme drought that coincides additional stress, including competition with invasive species. The research is shedding new light on how entire ecosystems will respond to climate change.

"Interaction effects of different stressors, such as extreme drought and plant invasion, can have detrimental effects on ecosystem functioning and recovery after drought. With ongoing climate change and increasing plant invasion, there is an urgent need to predict the short- and long-term interaction impacts of these stressors on ecosystems," explained the researchers.

The investigation was focused on a field study in the Park Tapada Real in the small Portuguese town of Vila Viçosa. The team examined how cork oak, Quercus suber, responds to two coinciding stressors - extreme drought and competition with the invasive plant species gum rockrose. 

"The factors interacted more dynamically than we expected," study co-author Simon Haberstroh, who conducted the research for his doctoral thesis. 

The researchers found that during wet years, the interacting stressors did not cause any significant changes in the cork oak. In dry conditions, the factors either amplified or buffered each other. 

"In an average precipitation year, the interaction effects of both stressors were neutral. However, the combination of imposed drought and shrub invasion led to amplifying interaction effects during an extreme drought by strongly reducing tree transpiration. Contrarily, the imposed drought reduced the competitiveness of the shrubs in the following recovery period, which buffered the negative effects of shrub invasion on Q. suber," explained the study authors. 

"Our results demonstrate the highly dynamic and non-linear effects of interacting stressors on ecosystems and urges for further investigations on biotic interactions in a context of climate change pressures."

The researchers were surprised to find that cork oak, despite the double burden, was able to recover better than had been expected after extreme drought. 

"These new research findings contribute to better understanding and more expedient care of ecosystems," said Haberstroh. "Using them we can, for example, develop rules for particularly dry years, which is a central issue in times of climate change."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14698137">New Phytologist</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How do plants handle competition during extreme drought?

In a new study from the University of Freiburg, researchers...

In a new study published by <a href="https://www.cell.com/">Cell Press</a>, experts have discovered that North <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-lionfish-have-arrived-in-the-south-atlantic/">Atlantic</a> right whales have become significantly shorter in the last three to four decades. The experts report that, since the 1980s, the average length of the whales has declined by about seven percent.

The research suggests that even though whales are now largely protected from direct catch, other stressors are having an impact on their fitness. 

"On average, a whale born today is expected to reach a total length about a meter shorter than a whale born in 1980," explained <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/">NOAA</a> scientist Joshua Stewart. "But that's just the average - there are also some extreme cases where young whales are several meters shorter than expected."

"Major impacts on life history like this have been documented in heavily exploited commercial species, especially fishes, but to our knowledge this is the first time these kinds of impacts are being recorded in a large mammal."

In collaboration with an international team of scientists, Stewart set out to document the challenges faced by right whales as indicated by changes in their life history characteristics, including size. The experts analyzed aerial photogrammetry measurements collected over 20 years.

"We were able to build on our previous work that used conventional aircraft in the early 2000s by adopting new drone technology to extend the time series in recent years," said John Durban at Oregon State University (formerly with NOAA). "In both cases, we were able to measure whales by flying a camera high above them, essentially giving them a health check without them knowing we were there."

The whales have been consistently monitored since the 1980s, including detailed records of attached-gear entanglements, age, and size. Beyond the effects of entanglements, the experts examined the potential impacts of other stressors such as noise, ship strikes, and prey availability.

"Fishing gear entanglements in this population are unfortunately fairly common, and entanglements resulting in attached gear and severe injuries have been generally increasing over the past several decades," Stewart said. 

"Previous studies have shown that the increased drag from entangling gear requires right whales to spend a lot of extra energy just to go about their normal activities, and that is energy they might otherwise spend on growth or reproduction. In some cases, entanglements can be lethal, but it turns out that even sub-lethal entanglements can have lasting impacts on right whales."

The findings show that entanglements are one of the stressors associated with shorter whales. According to the researchers, stunted growth in right whales may lead to a higher risk of life-threatening gear entanglements, as well as reduced reproductive success.

"The smaller you are, the less energetic reserves you have, and the harder it might be to survive a serious entanglement or sustained food shortage," explained Stewart. 

"So it's possible that these life history changes could translate into population viability impacts. But this really makes me wonder about how large whales worldwide are being impacted by entanglements. This is by no means a problem unique to right whales - entanglements are a major threat for whales, marine mammals, and other marine species worldwide."

"Because North Atlantic right whales have this incredibly detailed dataset with known ages, sizes, entanglement histories, and so forth, we could directly examine how these impacts are affecting growth rates. My guess is that many other species are being similarly affected, but we just don't have the ability to detect it in less well-studied populations."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home">Current Biology</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

North Atlantic right whales are getting shorter

In a new study published by Cell Press, experts have...

In a new study published by <a href="https://plos.org/">PLOS</a>, geophysicist Dr. Gidon Eshel has demonstrated that mixed farming methods could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-can-be-recycled-into-construction-materials/">food</a> productivity in the United States. 

Dr. Eshel reports that mixed farming, which also avoids synthetic fertilizers in favor of manure, could be established across the country's 100 million hectares of high quality cropland to help eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. In this scenario, beef consumption would need to decrease, but by only 20 percent. 

Beef is the most costly food item in terms of resources. For every gram of protein, beef uses seven times more cropland and 20 times more water. Beef production is also responsible for 11 times higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to other protein sources. 

On the other hand, cattle manure is a valuable source of natural fertilizer. Relying on cattle manure and nitrogen-fixing crops to replenish soil nutrients helps to eliminate harmful synthetic fertilizers.

To investigate whether these practices could support farming in the United States, Dr. Eshel created a mathematical model of nitrogen-sparing agriculture across all high quality cropland in the country, totaling 100 million hectares. He divided this area into identical mixed-use farm units that integrated intensive cattle farming with production of fruit, vegetables, grains, nuts, and cattle forage.

&nbsp;

The modeling study revealed that mixed farming practices could cut out 55 percent of current nitrogen fertilizer use while also eliminating agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrogen-sparing practices also increased productivity and total protein production - the modeled farms yielded 110 percent of current consumption and produced a more protein-rich diet. Meanwhile, mixed farming reduced beef production by 20 to 30 percent.

Nitrogen-sparing practices could help reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and minimize harmful fertilizer run-off, but their success will depend on complex societal, economic, and political factors, said Dr. Eshel.

"While small-scale regenerative farming has been promoted for many years, nobody quite knew whether it can feed the populace. Without taking sides in this raging debate, I set out to agnostically test whether such practices can or cannot produce enough food."

"I developed a mathematical model of such farms dotting the contiguous U.S. landscape, but only where precipitation is bountiful and the soil of high quality, and found that such farms can in fact handily feed the U.S., including delivering four fifths of today's beef consumption and quite dramatically improve nutrition and by extension public health."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/">PLOS Biology</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Mixed farming could increase food productivity and reduce emissions

In a new study published by PLOS, geophysicist Dr. Gidon...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.



Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.



In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.



Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,The

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. 



According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.



"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.



"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."



Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;



"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.



The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.



"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.



"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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Closeup,Of,Fresh,Green,The,Napier,Bush,Grass,As,Animal

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">NTU Singapore</a> reveals that some plants can remove toxic heavy metals from soil.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed samples of various tropical plant species to test for levels of heavy metals and metalloids. The study showed that there are existing plants with high levels of these contaminants, which means that these species are great candidates for drawing pollutants out of the soil.&nbsp;



Among the plants examined in the study, 12 species had accumulated several types of heavy metals and metalloids. These plants are widely available, including species that are native to Singapore.



“In a small nation like Singapore, land may be repurposed to support new development plans, so it is important that we have a green and sustainable way to remediate land that is contaminated," said Professor Lam Yeng Ming.



"We set out to uncover how to better make use of tropical plants to do phytoremediation and through advanced characterization techniques, we showed how some of these tropical plant species can be an environmentally friendly and literally a 'green' way to remove contaminants in soil."&nbsp;



"Phytoremediation also has benefits of cost effectiveness, simplicity of management, aesthetic advantages, and long-term applicability and sustainability. The strategy prevents erosion and metal leaching by stabilizing or accumulating heavy metals, so that helps reduce the risk of contaminant spread.”



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes why herbicides are not as effective in killing weeds anymore. In the 20th century, chemical companies developed thousands of herbicides. The most commonly used herbicide was glyphosate, which was introduced in 1974.



Over the past few decades, dozens of species of weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Depending on the site of action, the part of the plant that an herbicide interacts with, weeds may even be resistant to herbicides that have not been developed yet.&nbsp;



With increasing resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides, weeds are - once again - becoming a major concern for farmers.&nbsp;



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL) describes a dust storm on Mars that was nearly twice the size of the United States. As the storm covered the southern hemisphere of the planet, some of NASA’s explorers had to delay their normal activities.



NASA’s Insight lander put itself in a "safe mode" for 11 days to conserve battery power because solar power was disrupted by the dust. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter postponed flights until conditions improved.



"A fleet of NASA orbiters monitor Martian dust storms like this one and serve as lifelines to Earth by relaying data from the rovers and lander on the ground back to the team. This includes the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and Odyssey," reports JPL.



"Dust storms like this recent one start close to the ground and are spread by wind as they rise – warming the cold Martian atmosphere."



The images in the video were captured by NASA’s Curiosity as the dust rolled in. A fleet of orbiters monitored the dust storm from above, relaying data from Mars’ explorers back to scientists on Earth.



Video &amp; Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.



Qeshm is separated from the Iranian coast by the Clarence Strait, also known as Khuran.&nbsp;The Hara Forest Protected Area is a network of shallow waterways and forest located between the island and the mainland. This protected region is home to sea turtles, snakes, and more than 150 species of migrating birds.



Qeshm is famous for its wide range of&nbsp;ecotourist&nbsp;attractions, such as the&nbsp;Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5 percent of the world birds and 25 percent of Iran's native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-hummingbirds-avoid-sexual-harassment-by-looking-like-males/">birds</a> annually migrate to the forests, which are the first national geo park in Iran.



Tourists are also drawn to the island to see an age-old Portuguese&nbsp;fort, historic mosques, the&nbsp;Seyyed Mozaffar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bibi Maryam&nbsp;shrines, and the "Valley of Stars."



The average temperature on the island is 81 degress and the region is often hot and humid. From June to August, the island is described as being oppressively hot. The ideal time to visit is during the winter season. 



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique.&nbsp;



"Inhambane Bay is a deep inlet into which the small Mutamba River flows," says ESA. "On one side of the bay lies the historical city of Inhambane, capital of the Inhambane Province, while the sister city of Maxixe, the economic capital of Inhambane, sits across from it. The province is the second largest grower of cashews, after Nampula, and it also produces coconut and citrus fruits."



The beaches of Barra and Tofo are popular with tourists. There are also coral reefs along the long coastline of Inhambane, making it an ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.



"Mozambique’s extensive coastline heightens the country’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones that develop in the Indian Ocean as well as storm surge flooding," says ESA.



"More than half of the population lives in low lying coastal areas, putting communities at risk. Inhambane Bay was dangerously close to where Cyclone Idai made landfall in 2019 causing widespread destruction to the country."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features the Kangerlussuaq Glacier, one of the largest tidewater outlet glaciers in Greenland. The glacier is located on the east coast of the Greenland ice sheet.



As human-induced climate change continues to drive up temperatures, global ice loss is accelerating at an alarming rate. ESA reports that, over the past decade alone, 3.5 trillion tons of ice have melted from the Greenland ice sheet. This is enough to cover the UK with meltwater 15 meters deep.



Based on satellite imagery, researchers determined that Kangerlussuaq entered a new phase of rapid retreat and acceleration in 2017. In their study, published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2019.00123/full">Frontiers in Earth Science</a>,&nbsp; the experts report that the glacier's ice front is now at its most retreated position since the early 20th century.



"Given Kangerlussuaq’s previous impacts on both the magnitude and pattern of ice sheet wide mass loss, we predict that its new phase of retreat, acceleration and thinning will markedly enhance the south-east region’s contribution to increasing discharge from the ice sheet," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"More broadly, accurate forecasting of the ice sheet’s contribution to sea level rise will require a deeper understanding of, and responses to, these non-linear ice dynamic processes."



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Kangerlussuaq Glacier on the Greenland ice sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the complex relationship between ocean and climate. ESA's Climate Change Initiative will help us understand how oceans influence the climate and how climate change is impacting the oceans.&nbsp;



"Earth’s oceans are huge heat stores, soaking up 93% of the excess heat from human activity over the past 70 years. Ocean currents redistribute heat around the planet, from the Equator to the poles. Where this ocean heat goes influences weather patterns and regional climate," explains ESA.



"As well as absorbing heat, oceans are a natural carbon sink, absorbing a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. This has led to the acidification of ocean water, threating marine life."



The amount of heat and carbon dioxide soaked up by the ocean depends on specific variables, including phytoplankton, temperatures, waves, salinity, and ice cover. Satellites can be used to measure these variables from space.



"From their unique vantage point, satellites provide key information for understanding the complexities of our planet and monitoring environmental issues," says ESA.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the importance of monitoring the shape of the sea surface, which is constantly changing. These observations have many applications, such as ship routing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-modem-ocean-is-a-tough-place-for-whales-to-survive/">ocean</a> current forecasting, and debris tracking.



"A project supported by the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities recently investigated a new technique to measure sea surface topography very precisely," reports ESA.



"The technique involves looking at satellite navigation (GNSS) signals that have been reflected off of the sea surface at very low angles. At these so-called grazing angles, waves and surface roughness have very little impact on the reflection process; the sea surface acts as a very smooth mirror."



Estel Cardellach is the principal investigator at the Institute for Space Studies of Catalonia, who first submitted the idea for the project.



“In a mirror-like reflection the phase of the signal can be tracked – it is continuous," said Cardellach. "Different surface heights result in different phase measurements. It gives a very precise measurement of the surface altitude at a few centimetres’ precision.”



The researchers developed a GNSS receiver and set up an experiment in the Balaeric Islands to collect signals from the receiver that were reflected off the sea surface. Ultimately, these signals will provide improved measurements of the shape of the sea surface.



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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